The bill, H.B. No. 3218, proposes amendments to the Election Code to facilitate voting for individuals in custody at county jails in Texas, specifically in counties with populations of 3.3 million or more. It establishes that these jails will serve as polling places, allowing eligible residents who are not finally convicted of their offenses to vote. The bill mandates that jails provide voter registration applications to those in custody who request them and are eligible to vote. Additionally, it ensures that individuals can vote in the same elections as they would if they were residing in their home county.

Furthermore, the bill introduces specific voting procedures for individuals at these county jail polling places. It allows individuals who would be eligible to vote but are not registered to do so if they meet certain criteria, including being in custody and submitting a valid voter registration application. The bill also outlines the identification requirements for these voters and stipulates that they will be processed separately from regular voters at the polling place. The Secretary of State is tasked with developing the necessary procedures to implement these changes effectively. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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